Dubai’s Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm to become world’s largest waterpark

BY GABRIELLE

Extensive work is to be carried out at the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai over the next 18 months.

By expanding the site by as much as 30%, Atlantis the Palm will be the home of the biggest waterpark in the world.

The site is already 170,000 square metres in size, featuring numerous waterslides, river rides, a shark safari, a splasher’s kids play area, and various beaches for pools relaxation.

New slides and attractions are planned for the extended waterpark.

Tim Kelly, executive vice president and managing director of Atlantis Resorts and Residences, spoke of the park’s extension.

“We’re in the process of initiating our construction on extending the waterpark. By the end of Q3 2020, we will be growing our waterpark by 30 percent.

“We’re going to have the largest waterpark in the world. As part of that plan we will have a brand new tower, seven new rides, a kid’s area, and the world longest slide too,” Kelly added.

Tropical Islands Resort in Germany is currently the largest waterpark in the world.

JORDAN OPENS UNDERWATER MILITARY DIVE SITE ATTRACTION

BY GABRIELLE

Jordan has opened an underwater military museum for divers, located off the coast of Aqaba. The submerged attraction enables divers, snorkeller and glass boat guests to explore a combat helicopter, an ambulance, tanks, an anti-aircraft gun, a military crane and troop carriers.

The military items were submerged and stationed along coral reefs, so the attraction resembles a battle formation.

Some objects are positioned in deeper water than others, with some sat at 15- 20 metres below the water’s surface, and others at 20 – 28 metres.

Visitors can explore the new, underwater world through several options, including diving, snorkelling or by a glass bottom boat.

The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) said precautions had been taken to ensure the safety and protection of the marine life and its environment, including the removing of all hazardous materials from the items submerged in the sea.

The items submerged all came from the Jordanian Army, including an unarmed FV104 Samaritan tracked military ambulance and a 120mm tank gun.

More acquisitions are planned to be sunk at the site in the future.

Largest aquarium in the Middle East due to open in early 2020

BY GABRIELLE

The Al Qana National Aquarium, the region’s largest aquatic centre, will open early next year. The waterfront destination will be spread across ten different zones and will be home to 33,000 creatures.

The huge aquatic site is now 70% complete. The venue spans a vast 7,000 square metres. A team of 80 marine life specialists will care for the thousands of creatures living at the aquarium. The sea-life will be ethically sourced from around the world and the venue will stress the importance of conservation.

It will feature exotic species from the Pacific Ocean and elsewhere, as well as local creatures from the Arabian Gulf and the UAE.

The Al Qana National Aquarium is expected to attract more than one million visitors a year.

The aquatic site will be a leading education destination in the area, welcoming more than 50,000 school children through its doors every year.

Paul Hamilton, general manager of the National Aquarium, spoke about what the new educational and entertainment destination will bring to the area.

“[The aquarium] will bring the excitement and wonder of the oceans to the doorsteps of Abu Dhabi’s community and to visitors from all around the world.

“This is the 12th public aquarium that I’ve worked on and probably the most exciting, in terms of the scale, uniqueness and attention to detail.”

“People across the UAE are becoming more conscious of how they can look after the environment around them, to ensure that the habitats and ecosystems of animals are safeguarded for generations to come.

“People of all ages will be able to understand more about the marine world at The National Aquarium, fostering a deeper appreciation of the creatures, corals and plants that make the underwater realm so fascinating and worth protecting,” Hamilton added.

When completed, Al Qana will be spread over seven districts. The project is being developed by Al Barakah International Investment (BII) and the Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The waterfront entertainment and dining hub is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.

SOUTH FLORIDA THEME PARK DEBUTS NEW WATER ATTRACTION

BY GABRIELLE

Lion Country Safari in South Florida has opened a 10,000 square feet water play area. The new water attraction will feature in the park’s Safari Splash water spray area.

Known as the Safari Falls, the new attraction opened on July 31 with a grand opening ceremony.

The water play structure is set within a pool in Safari Splash. It features water slides, water cannons and a 550-galloon dump bucket. The attraction can accommodate up to around 300 people.

Safari Splash opened at Lion Country Safari in 2005. Water slides were added to the site in 2014.

“Lion Country Safari is committed to providing a fun, family-friendly environment with ample opportunities for adventure,” the park commented.

Lionsgate’s first Asian theme park opens in China

 BY GABRIELLE

Liongate’s first Asian theme park, Lionsgate Entertainment World, opened in Hengqin, China on July 31.

The new theme park is based on movies for older audiences and is aimed at visitors between the ages of 16 and 30 years old.

The ‘vertical theme park’, extends an area of 22,000 square metres and features 25 attractions centred on the several well-known movies, including The Hunger Games, Now You See Me, Twilight, Escape Plan, the Divergent series and Gods of Egypt.

The Hunger Games and Twilight movies are being incorporated into simulators. Gods of Egypt is the focus of a purpose-built indoor virtual reality rollercoaster.

Developed by Hong Kong’s real estate giant, Lai Sun Group, the theme park is located approximately an hour from Hong Kong. Village Roadshow Theme Parks will manage the theme park.

Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate’s SVP, Global Live and Location Based Entertainment, spoke of the new park:

“From escaping the Capitol, to braving the mental and physical challenges of Dauntless, to taking on a newborn vampire army with Jacob and the Wolf Pack, we can’t wait for fans to step into the worlds of their favorite films to create their own authentic adventures.

Selena Magill, general manager of Lionsgate Entertainment World, commented:

“We are proud to bring this iconic attraction to life at Hengqin, Zhuhai. Lionsgate Entertainment World aims to become a multifaceted destination by engaging guests through story-telling and cutting edge technology.

“We expect guests in China and all around the world to enjoy sensational experiences here that they won’t soon forget,” Magill added.

PAULTONS PARK NAMED NUMBER ONE UK THEME PARK BY TRIPADVISOR

BY GABRIELLE

Paultons Park in Romsey, Hampshire, has been named the UK’s best theme park. The accolade is based on reviews left by visitors on TripAdvisor, which were collated for the Travellers’ Choice Amusement & Waterparks 2019 list.

TripAdvisor looked at the number of reviews left for the UK’s different theme parks and waterparks, as well as the ratings given to each resort.

The poll also looked at the best waterparks and theme parks worldwide.

Hot on Paulton Park’s heels was the Milky Way Adventure Park in Devon, which features both indoor and outdoor attractions. Blackpool Pleasure Beach got the third spot, followed by Clifton Park in Rotherham.

Sundown Adventureland in Retford is the fifth best theme park in the UK according to TripAdvisor reviews, followed by Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea.

Exeter’s Crealy Family Theme Park came in seventh place, Brighton Palace Pier won eight spot, followed by Harbour Park in Littlehampton in ninth.

Alton Towers was listed as the tenth most popular theme park in the UK based on TripAdvisor reviews.

Around the world, Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando was voted as the best theme park around the world by travellers.

Mission Impossible in the pipeline for new London theme park

BY GABRIELLE

Paramount Pictures have signed a deal with the £5 billion London Resort theme park planned to be built in the Thames Estuary. The partnership opens the possibly that movie-centred attractions will feature at the park, based on iconic films like Mission Impossible and Star Trek.

Paramount Studios is the third entertainment company to sign up with the London Resort, joining ITV and the BBC.

The theme park is planned to open in 2024 on the Swanscombe Peninsula near Dartford in Kent. Originally the attraction venue was poised to be called Paramount Park. However, in 2017, the Hollywood Studio pulled out of the deal, when an agreement on which films would be featured at the park failed to be met.

Such disagreements seem to have been put to one side, giving planning for the London Resort’s development a significant boost.

The London Resort will stretch for more than 535 acres, 200 of which will be devoted entirely to rides and experiences. The resort will also feature a hospitality area with 3,500 hotel rooms.

As PY Gerbeau, former boss of the Millennium Dome said:

“The new partnership with Paramount is fantastic news for everyone.

“Now the best of Hollywood will be joining the best of British from BBC and ITV Studios, to create amazing and unique experiences for the whole family.”

Kevin Suh, president of themed entertainment for Paramount Pictures, is equally elated about the new partnership.

“The London Resort represents a truly global resort opportunity and we’re delighted to be playing our part in bringing iconic movies to life in truly immersive experiences and rides,” said Suh.

Construction of the resort is due to begin in 2021.

EUREKA! MERSEY DUE TO OPEN IN 2022

 BY GABRIELLE

Thanks to a £6.6 million funding injection from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Eureka! Mersey is set to open in 2022.

The £11.75 million interactive museum will be part of Spaceport, located in the Seacombe Ferry Terminal in Merseyside.

Spaceport is a visitor attraction that takes guests on an inspirational journey through space, as they walk through a number of themed galleries.

Eureka! Mersey will comprise of interactive exhibition space, featuring innovative technology and science, as well as a café and shop. It will provide guests with learning experiences in a playful, interactive manner.

It is expected the new Seacombe attraction will attract around 187,000 visitors every year, with an emphasis on providing school children with learning opportunities through programmes, community workshops, exhibitions and afterschool activities.

Wirral Council and the Liverpool City Region CA have been working together on the project.

To help get the design of the attraction right, Eureka! has been collaborating with 6 to 14-year-olds and teaming up with schools and colleges to discover the best activities, topics and learning experiences the centre should feature.

Funscape World to open soon in Bahrain

BY GABRIELLE

Bahrain’s largest mall entertainment facility is due to open soon in the recently opened Mall of Dilmuni.

Known as Funscape World, the entertainment zone will feature rollercoasters and an ice rink. Designed by Dubai-based ASI Design Solutions, the entertainment facility will have four distinct areas, including an Ice Zone with an ice rink that’s open all year round, and 2,210 square metres of rollercoasters, bumper cars and other rides and attractions.

The site is also home to a children’s adventure area, with a zipline, climbing frames and rope-based activities. The facility’s Funscape Sport zone extends over a 1,848 square metre area, featuring an indoor sports hall, basketball courts and a robo-goalkeeper challenge.

The Mall of Dilmuni is situated on Dilmunia Island in the heart of the Arabian Gulf.  The mall features futuristic and modern architecture and provides a family-orientated space with fun and educational facilities, rooftop cafes, live music, a cylindrical aquarium and a vibrant shopping experience.

The Mall of Dilmunia has been developed by the Dilmunia Mall Development Company. The new entertainment facility is due to open in October 2019.

Largest retro and futuristic arcade in Europe is coming to Liverpool

POSTS BY GABRIELLE

The largest arcade to combine retro and futuristic games and attractions in Europe is coming to Liverpool. The ArCains arcade will be located at the former Cains Brewery which is undergoing an exciting redevelopment in the city.

Developed by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group, the family-friendly attraction will feature old, retro games from the 1970s, alongside the latest in gaming technology. An entire floor will be dedicated to a virtual reality area.

The £3 million attraction will also feature pool tables, pinball areas, shuffle tables and basketball.

The arcade is one phase of a £7 million redevelopment of the former Cains Brewery, which is being developed into a must-see venue in Liverpool, with plans to build a Sky Bar, Boutique Hotel and an Art-House Cinema.

Andrew Mikhail, chairman of Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group (MHALG), referred to the attraction as the “ultimate all-day family experience.”

“Our planned £3m investment in the state of the art ArCains is part of our wider £7m plans for the strategic regeneration of Cains,” said Mikhail.

“Situated in the vicinity of Liverpool’s dynamic tech world, we believe that ArCains enhances the sector offer with more than 100 jobs being created at the back of our plans,” Mikhail added.

The innovative arcade will enable between 10 and 100 people to simultaneously participate in the action as one booking.

According to Mikhail, the new arcade is a “win-win for Liverpool, a city in which I was born.”

“I share the passion and vision that our city leaders and decision makers have in continuing to drive sustainable investment into nascent areas of Liverpool that brings jobs and prosperity to the local community and the multiplier effects of mass tourism alongside,” said MHALG’s chairman.